Mining operation hospitalises 13 workers in a month
2024-03-07
More than a dozen employees needed emergency medical attention at a resources operation.
Authorities have been notified that at least 13 workers were hospitalised during February 2024 at Ablemarle’s Kemerton processing plant.also find that mining headlamps are not compliant either
“Workers have every right to expect that they will return home safe and sound at the end of the day,” Mining and Energy Union WA secretary Mick Buchan said according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
“Not [to be] in hospital with eyes watering, coughing and throwing up the toxic chemicals that they have been exposed to while working on site.”
The employer recently launched an investigation into the chemical exposure incident with no explosion proof mining lamp that affected 13 individuals who were transported to Bunbury Regional Hospital on February 1.
“Albemarle is close to completing its investigation into what may have caused these symptoms,” a spokesperson said according to the broadcaster.
“The company has put in place interim precautionary measures until the investigation is complete as the health and safety of all personnel is our top priority.”
The incident has already been reported to WorkSafe WA, and occurred around the same time Ablemarle decided to retrench about 294 employees across its Greenbushes mine (80km southeast of Bunbury), Wodgina mine (104km south of Port Hedland) and Kemerton plant (23km northwest of Bunbury).
Spending will also be reduced for contracted services. The measures are hoped to save the business about US$50 million (A$75.6M).
“The actions we are taking allow us to advance near term growth and preserve future opportunities as we navigate the dynamics of our key end-markets,” CEO Kent Masters previously said.
The value of lithium ore plunged 80 per cent to US$95,500 (A$144,594) a tonne in the past year.
View More
Mine employee dies after trying to clean running conveyor
2024-03-07
A resources worker passed away while attempting to save time.
Authorities recently warned employers to ensure they adequately train staff members, following multiple workplace accidents.
“A miner suffered fatal injuries in 2018 when he was entangled in a conveyor’s take-up assembly. He was working from an elevated aerial lift cleaning buildup from a bend pulley while it was operating,” the Mine Safety and Health Administration said in a safety alert.
“[The] victim [was] caught between [a] moving conveyor belt and bend pulley.”
Other “serious” and “fatal” injuries occurred when workers tried to clean or adjust conveyor rollers, pulleys and idlers while the belt was still in motion. Those who survived suffered broken bones, lost fingers, hands and arms. None of the mine sites were disclosed. Though accident due to explosion with non-complied miner lamps is reducing
Investigators made the following recommendations:
turn off conveyors before starting work
use aerial lifts to access elevated bend, snub and take-up pulleys
remove or reach around guards to work on conveyor components
use scrapers, shovels, pry bars, hammers and torches to remove mud or buildup
tools can be caught in pinch points between the conveyor belt and rollers and pull in the tools, hands, arms and bodies.
View More
Buying skills of explosion proof lamp
2024-02-06
The selection and purchase of explosion proof lamp depend on the season and the environment. The color temperature ranges from 2700 K to 6500K. The smaller the value, the more inclined yellow light is to blue and white light. Yellow light is usually suitable for winter and other occasions such as bedrooms, living rooms, restaurants, etc., for warmth and comfort. And white light is more bright and clear, suit in summer and study, kitchen.
1. Need to focus on color contrast, high-performance color: performance color refers to the object after the light exposure color authenticity, the value is 0 ~ 100, now LED bulbs explosion-proof LED lights performance specifications are more than 75, but the person advocates to choose more than 80 better, home studio people should choose to play color high light bulbs, more can reflect the authenticity of color.
2. Depending on the plateau number, ambient lighting requirements, selection number, and luminous flux: luminous flux refers to brightness. Under the same turf number, according to the different environments, the number of light bulbs used is different. Such as the same 5 pings of the bedroom and study each need 2 and 513-watt light bulbs.
3. Select high luminous power: the higher the luminous power on behalf of the more power-saving, the current LED light luminous power is usually higher than 80, the explosion proof lamp selected higher value the more energy-saving.
4. On the installation of the explosion proof lamp, we should pay attention to the specific construction methods, but also pay attention to the selection of their own explosion proof lamp.
View More
What is the difference between explosion proof light and ordinary lighting
2024-02-06
explosion proof light is used in dangerous places where combustible gases and dusts exist, and can prevent the arc, spark and high temperature that may be generated inside the light from igniting the combustible gases and dusts in the surrounding environment, so as to achieve the explosion-proof requirements of the light.
The difference between explosion proof light and ordinary light
1. The installation method is different. Explosion-proof electrical appliances is the most critical is not grounded, grounded will be prone to sparking, and the power cord is more explosion-proof flame retardant type, anti-touch protection is to prevent explosion-proof lamps and lanterns shell easily accessible parts charged, so that human electrocution or conductors of different potentials touching the spark and ignite the explosive mixture. The difference in wiring also directly leads to the difference in the scope of use of the two.
2. Lampshade material is different. Just a different lampshade, the lamp inside is the same. Explosion-proof lampshade is composed of high-strength glass and metal mesh, which also determines the difference between the two use occasions.
3. The use of different environments. Whether explosion proof light or ordinary lamps and lanterns are lamps and lanterns, in production, storage, rescue are used as lighting, which is common to explosion-proof lamps and lanterns in general.
explosion proof light in addition to the general lighting fixture safety, whether in normal operation, or in the lamp failure, explosion proof light surface temperature must be lower than the ignition temperature in explosive environments, because different explosive environments, it is a dangerous gas or dust ignition point is different.
View More
Caterpillar successfully demonstrates electric underground mining truck to Newmont
2024-01-05
Caterpillar Inc. has successfully demonstrated its first battery electric prototype underground mining truck, growing its portfolio of battery electric and semi-autonomous technology for underground mining applications.
The demonstration for Newmont and other industry leaders, at the company’s proving ground in Tasmania, Australia, comes on the heels of the 793 battery electric prototype surface mining truck, which was unveiled in November 2022.
Caterpillar developed its first battery electric prototype underground mining truck with voice of customer input and support from Newmont Corporation. The companies are collaborating to achieve Newmont’s vision of a fully connected, automated, zero carbon emitting, end-to-end mining system.
This battery electric truck will complete Caterpillar’s first fully electric underground load and haul solution when paired with the commercially available R1700 XE battery electric loader.
Denise Johnson, Caterpillar’s Resource Industries Group President said, “This is a milestone for the entire Caterpillar team, as we work closer than ever with Newmont to provide more sustainable choices for the underground mining industry.”
Caterpillar also completed a demonstration of its growing autonomy and automation capabilities. This technology addresses some of the key safety challenges faced daily by their underground customers, like the risk of collision when moving heavy machinery through dark, cramped spaces.
Autonomous trucks can help to enhance mine site safety by removing operators from potentially hazardous or remote sites. Additionally, these features can improve productivity by creating increased visibility for mine site coordinators , enabling more consistent operations for both staffed and autonomous machines by tracking with RFID cap lamps.
Johnson added, “We are building on our foundation of industry-leading autonomous solutions for surface operations, along with our deep experience in underground technology, to provide significant improvement in both productivity and safety for underground mining customers.”
View More